High-Functioning Alcoholics and Relationships Tips for Taking Care of Yourself

One of the main reasons that people who misuse alcohol seek help is the eventual negative consequences of their alcohol consumption. When the pain or embarrassment gets bad enough, they can no longer deny that their drinking needs to be addressed. However, they https://ecosoberhouse.com/ are likely struggling with uncontrollable cravings, unsuccessful attempts at quitting, and obsessive thoughts about their next drink—all hallmarks of an alcohol use disorder. Consider reaching out to an addiction specialist for more information and support.

You may begin to feel isolated and alone, and that can be detrimental to your overall health. That sense of loneliness can be compounded if your high-functioning alcoholic husband withdraws emotionally or is overbearing and controlling—unable to communicate with your partner, you may start to feel hopeless. That is a signal that you, and your husband, need the hope that alcohol rehabilitation treatment can bring. As the spouse of a high-functioning alcoholic, life can be stressful for you, too. You may be dealing with your husband’s mood swings, or lies, or excuses—every day can be a series of ups and downs, and you never know what to expect. That means you are always on your guard, and that can be exhausting.

What Is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?

Only three participants reported that they often have financial problems related to drinking. With regard to the problems of physical violence, very few wives reported various forms of violence by their alcoholic partner. It was only 3% wives who reported that their alcoholic partner often uses weapon against them and physically harm their children. In addition, the notion functional alcoholic husband of the functional alcoholic subtype has actually been around long before the latent class analysis model was developed, and it was based anecdotal observations. According to the book Understanding the High-functioning Alcoholic, which built on the basic factors identified in the latent class analysis model, high-functioning alcoholics have certain characteristics.

Family First Interventionists perform a pre-intervention assessment to help determine the level of care for the alcoholic. This process can help the family see the degree of severity their loved one is at. Some questions we ask may not seem relevant, and they are intended to help determine how much help your loved one may require. In the early stages, an alcoholic may want to set a party atmosphere or a very open environment in the house that supports their habit. A person using alcohol beyond moderation can come into conflict with anyone that impedes their drinking habits.

The following are options to consider when dealing with an alcoholic spouse:

However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification. We are here to provide assistance in locating an Ark Behavioral Health treatment center that may meet your treatment needs. You nor your loved one are under any obligation to commit to an Ark Behavioral Health treatment program when calling our helpline. In “case management,” a professional may work with you one-on-one. Outpatient programs make it possible for you to get treatment during the day and still live at home. This means you can’t take care of them when they’re hungover, make excuses for their behavior, or bail them out of jail if they are arrested for drunk driving.

When your spouse or partner is misusing alcohol, it’s important to see support from others, rather than going it along. The following resources may be helpful for yourself, your family members, and/or the individual struggling with alcohol misuse. The more an alcoholic can see their part in the problem, the more likely they are to surrender to alcohol addiction treatment. Blaming others allows the alcoholic to be a victim, and their focus is to make everyone else see what they did wrong and not themselves. This delusional thinking on the alcoholic’s part can prevent them from seeing the need to seek help for themselves.